Backgrounder

The power to seize, the need for safeguards

Street protests have reignited the drive to pass the long-stalled asset forfeiture bill. Under renewed public pressure, the House of Representatives has committed to wrapping up deliberation by year-end, nearly two decades after the reform was first tabled. The real test now is whether this self-imposed deadline will finally overcome years of legislative foot-dragging, and whether lawmakers can be held accountable if it slips again.

NU struggles for independence by changing chairs

Oil and gas reform accelerates, but will it boost production?

The revision to the Oil and Gas Law (RUU Migas) is now being pushed through the House of Representatives at unusual speed, with lawmakers targeting completion by mid-October 2026 and hoping to conclude deliberations before the current sitting period ends. The pace is notable because RUU Migas was not originally included in this year's national legislation program (Prolegnas), despite years of delays.

Edition

August 28, 2026

Pay it back, walk free? Prabowo's corruption dilemma

Imagine a corrupt official who has stolen billions of rupiah from state coffers. Under a proposal floated by President Prabowo Subianto, that official could walk free, no conviction, no prison, simply by handing the money back. It sounds like restitution; critics say it looks a lot like a pardon with a price tag.

When a disaster-prone nation cuts its safety net budget

KKI expands credit access amid rising household risks

Bank Indonesia (BI) and the Indonesian Payment System Association (ASPI) launched Kartu Kredit Indonesia (KKI) on Aug. 17, enabling deferred QRIS payments to be processed domestically. While easier access to credit could support consumption and strengthen Indonesia's payment ecosystem, it also carries risks. Without prudent lending standards, greater convenience could lead to higher household debt and deteriorating credit quality.

Edition

August 21, 2026

When Independence Day meets a nation’s discontent

Indonesia's 81st Independence Day arrived with all the familiar trappings of patriotism, from polished state ceremonies to spirited neighborhood fun games. Yet beneath the celebratory veneer lay an uneasy reality. Punctuated by sharp political satire, street protests, a devastating earthquake in Flores, and ongoing violence in Papua, the occasion prompted a nagging question: Who is actually experiencing the promise of independence?

PPHN: Prabowo's green light for Soeharto's ghost

Odd price movements and Haji Isam’s rumored Bayan acquisition

On Aug. 15 three prominent businessmen toured a site in Kutai Kartanegara, East Kalimantan, reportedly to scout potential mining sites. They were tycoon Haji Isam, PT Bayan Resources owner Dato' Low Tuck Kwong and defense entrepreneur Norman Joesoef. The meeting quickly sparked speculation that Haji Isam was interested in acquiring a 62 percent majority stake in Bayan Resources.

Edition

August 14, 2026

Shooting from the hip: Prabowo's unscripted presidency

President Prabowo Subianto's tenure has been marked by a recurring pattern of rhetorical detours. His supporters see his direct, unscripted style as refreshingly authentic; critics see a habit that regularly produces high-profile verbal slips with real domestic and international consequences.

Ex-top prosecutor's exit strategy feels like political theatre

Danantara’s hedge fund gamble

Danantara's plan to appoint hedge fund managers marks a potentially significant shift toward a more complex and higher-risk investment strategy. The move comes even as the state asset fund has yet to publish financial reports substantiating President Prabowo Subianto's claims of stellar performance. It raises a fundamental question: Is Danantara's investment strategy aligned with its long-term national mandate, or is the fund experimenting with increasingly aggressive approaches to managing state assets?